Tribute to Dobby

It won’t surprise you to learn that my home is full of capybara memorabilia. Capybara artifacts are difficult to find, even in South America, where the animals are common, like our deer. People send me “capybaras” whenever they find them (many come from Japan!) and I have amassed an enviable collection of plushies and ephemera.

What surprised me is the number of items around here that feature Dobby, himself! Apparently, I am not the only one who liked to draw Dobby. My kids, their friends, my friends, and visitors found him to be an inspiring subject.

He was discovered and glorified by Facebook friends, and then a couple of magazinesfeatured him. Dobby was very timid, so taking him out to parks or special events would have made him very uncomfortable. Local news shows called, but Prince Dobalob was a private guy and we politely declined his Fifteen Minutes of Fame.

Then I picked up The New Yorker magazine and discovered that he was running for president! A third party write-in candidate, I will always wonder if his candidacy had an effect upon the final vote tally. I like to think not: there is enough blame being tossed around without Dobby’s name sullied by the connection to the infamous 2016 election.

Dobby was honored on some crazy elegant bandanas. I discovered recently that he is on a teapot and creamer (but not the sugar bowl). It’s rare to find decorative capybaras in any form, and they are usually “generic” capys, but these are definitely inspired by Dobby. I also received a beautiful commissioned “Dobby” painting this week, and the plushies keep on coming!

The most fabulous tribute of all is his book. After meeting Dobby, Sonya was so enchanted by him that she agreed to illustrate his autobiography. That’s a lot of Dobbys!

Dobby is everywhere!

Dobby by Becky, my daughter.

Dobby by Sam, my son.

Dobby by India, Sam’s friend.

Dobby by Tatum, a visitor.

Dobby by Piper, a visitor.

Another one by Piper.

Dobby (rubbing his morrillo) by Levi, a visitor.

Dobby by Rebecca Rosman, a friend.

Dobby by Briana, a Stacy’s Funny Farm board member.

Dobby by Melanie, President of the ROUS Foundation.

Dobby (on the right), the ROUS Foundation T-Shirt, by Angela Mitchell, a friend.

Dobby by Agnes Luque, Un Bonbon Sale Par Terre.

Another one by Agnes.

Dobby featured in Guinea Pig Magazine.

Dobby featured in Rodent Reader Quarterly.

Dobby by Barry Blitt in The New Yorker Magazine.

Dobby by Don Moyer.

“Thanks, Dobby” by Don Moyer.

Dobby by Lili Chin.

The first Dobby by Sonya Reasor.

The ultimate tribute: a book full of Dobbys by Sonya.

The gallery photos open up nice and big if you click on them. Of course, if you want to see all of Sonya’s illustrations, you’re going to have to open up the book!